How Kyambogo lecturer allegedly planned stepsister's murder

KAMPALA - The Police in Kampala have arrested an associate professor from Kyambogo University’s department of physics and mathematics, over alleged attempted murder. 

Willy Okullu was arrested on August 5 and detained at Kabalagala Police Station for allegedly attempting to murder his stepsister, Sandra Auma, a city lawyer. 

Investigations indicate that the don had hired a cousin identified as Wicham Olee, a resident of Kisubi in Entebbe municipality, Wakiso district, and an employee of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, to help him execute the mission. 

“Okullu and his wife, Susan Akoli, had promised to pay Olee sh200m if he succeeded in executing the mission,” a police officer privy to the probe said. 

Akoli was also arrested. 

It is alleged that the plan to eliminate Auma emanates from a family dispute over property. 

Accordingly, a file has been opened at Kabalagala Police as investigations continue. 

Assoc. prof. Willy Okullu (R) being led to Kabalagala Police cells upon his arrest on August 05th, 2025. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)

New Vision has learnt that the Police uncovered the planned murder in advance and deployed a team of detectives from Kabalagala Police, who reportedly sent a fake video to Okullu and his wife using Olee’s smartphone, with a message indicating that Auma had been killed. 

As soon as he received the video clip, detectives said Okullu allegedly asked Olee for a meeting at the basement of Acacia Mall in Kampala to pay for “eliminating Auma.” 

Investigators, who had been following the communication, swiftly moved to Acacia Mall and followed Olee to the basement. 

Upon Okullu’s arrest, the Police recovered a pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition from the university tutor. 

The Police have since seized the pistol and Okullu’s vehicle. Police also arrested and grilled Olee. 

However, sources said Olee is currently being treated as a witness. New Vision has learnt that Okullu and his wife have since been released on bond.

Okullu's vehicle parked at Kabalagala Police Station. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)

Other cases 

The incident comes at a time when the Police and other security agencies are still struggling to unravel the puzzle surrounding the murder of an elderly couple in Entebbe, Wakiso district. 

A hooded lone killer stabbed David Mutaaga, 69, and his wife, Deborah, 62, at their home in Lugonjo-Nakiwogo cell, Entebbe municipality. 

The Police Annual Crime Report 2024 indicates that a total of 4,329 cases of homicides were reported by the end of last year, compared to 4,248 homicides in 2023.

Property dispute 

It is alleged that when Willy Okullu and Sarah Auma’s father passed on a few years ago, the don and his stepsister took over as the administrators of their father’s estate. 

However, other children accused Okullu of denying them a share of their late father’s property in Lira, and the matter was reported to the Police. 

Sources said Auma sided with her other siblings and provided free legal advice as a lawyer, which caused a sharp rift between Okullu and his other siblings.